Toggle switch



April 4, 1939. v M. A. PAsTRlcK 2,153,479

TOGGLE SWITCH Filed July 25, 1936 A orneys Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in switches, and more particularly to means for illuminating the usual operating handles thereof.

5 The principal object of the present invention is to provide illuminating means for switch handles whereby the switch handle when the switch is in oi position will permit the switch to be easily located in darkness.

Another important object of the invention is to provide switch handle illuminating means wherein special cut-off means for the illuminating means is provided.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification,

In the drawing:

Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional view through the switch structure.

0 Figure 2 represents an end elevational View of the switch handle.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view 5 of the tubular portion of the switch handle.

Figure 5 represents a side elevational view of the plug.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that the 0 handle structure generally referred to by numeral 5 is preferablyconstructed of transparent or at least translucent material so that light from the bulb 6 will pass through the same.

Numeral 'l denotes the enlarged switch op- ,5 erating end of the handle, while the numeral 8 denotes a cylindrical plug for disposition in the outer end portion of the tubular extension 9. Thisl plug 8 is provided with a pair of grooves I0 therein to facilitate rotation of the same,

40 and this plug is also provided with the cross pin II, the end portions of which project beyond the periphery of the said plug.

The projecting ends of the pin II are disposed into the bayonet slots I2 at diametrically oppol5 site side portions of the tubular extension 9.

At the inner end of the extension 9 is the ring I3 of current conducting material against which the coiled compressible spring I4 bears.

y This spring connects the element I5 of theubulb 0 9 while the element I8 is provided with a leg-like extension Il engageable with the inner end of the threaded pin I8 which pin is provided with suitable connections with the switch mechanism,

i5 generally referred to by numeral I9. A wire 29 extends from the ring I3 to a small bore in (Cl. Z110- 167) the body 'l to connect to the negative side of the switch mechanism I9.

It will now be seen, that when the switch handle is operated to on" position, the bulb ll will be deenergized, but when the room is placed 5 in darkness by operating the mechanism I9 to oi" position, the bulb 6 will be energized so that the switch handle will be illuminated so that it can always be found. Should it be desired to put the bulb 6 out of commission re- 10 gardless of the position of the switch handle, the plug 8 will be rotated so as to release the bulb 6 so that the spring I4 will force the bulb outwardly in the tubular extension 9 and disconnect the leg I1 from the threaded member 15 I8. This is desirable, for instance, in unoccupied hotel rooms, to save the small amount of electricity consumed and also conserve the life of the neon tube.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size, and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

An illuminated switch handle comprising a body of insulating material and having a socket opening outwardly through one face thereof and a screw threaded passage connecting with said socket and opening outwardly through a face of said body opposite to the first-mentioned face,

a tubular handle portion having one end formed on the first-mentioned face of the body and -3-5 aligning with the socket and provided with opposed bayonet slots adjacent the free end thereof, an electric lamp including double contacts slidable in the handle portion, a contact ring seated in said socket and having an electrical connection with an electric circuit, a compressible coil spring connecting said ring and one of the contacts of the lamp and acting to normally urge said lamp towards the free end of the handle portion, a contact member threaded in the pas- 5 sage to be abutted by the other contact of the lamp and adapted to be electrically connected in the electric circuit, a plug slidably received in the free end of the handle portion to abut the lamp and having wrench sockets, and a pin carried by the plug to enter the bayonet slots for securing the plugin a position to retain the lamp with one of the contacts in engagement with the contact member for illuminating the lamp when the electric circuit is closed.

MICHAEL A. PASTRICK. 

